‘National Business Review’ Southern Rich List
Sir Michael Hill
$320 million
The jewellery business Sir Michael Hill founded in 1979 is in trusted hands, after he passed the baton to daughter, Emma Hill, in late 2015.
Richardson Family
$295 million
From its Invercargill headquarters, the familyowned HW Richardson Group continues to expand its already large footprint in Australasia’s transport and infrastructure sectors.
HWR’s latest move is the acquisition of a 50% stake in Dunedin and Tapanuibased Dynes Transport, another major South Island company providing a broad range of services to the forestry and dairy industries.
Skeggs Family
$175 million
South Islandbased Skeggs Group is a second generationowned family business that began in 1958 when Sir Clifford Skeggs launched a fishing business to benefit from the booming crayfish market. Today, the group is owned by his three sons, David (who runs it), Bryan and Graeme, who hold 31.67% each and are all directors.
Sir Eion Edgar and family
$135 million
Sir Eion Edgar (72) says he still puts in a 60hour week divided between stockbroking firm Forsyth Barr, his family business and his philanthropic activities.
Ron Anderson and Bob Foster
$130 million each
As cofounders and joint owners of Arrow International, Ron Anderson and longtime business partner Bob Foster are riding the crest of a construction wave that generates annual revenues of more than $350 million.
Sir John Davis
$115 million
The record number of tourists flocking to Queenstown has to be good news for local tourism supremo Sir John Davies, whose business interests include skifields, bungy jumping, property and transport.
Barry Thomas
$110 million
Described by local newspaper
Mountain Scene as the ‘‘tourism king who earned his crown’’, Barry Thomas has been recognised by the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to tourism, media, gaming and sport.
Smith Family
$80 million
Six generations of the extended Smith family have made their careers and fortunes in the media industry. The South Island dynasty started with George Bell, who arrived in New Zealand from England during the Otago gold rush and got a job writing editorials for the Otago Daily
Times. A century and ahalf later, his greatgreatgrandsons, Sir Julian Smith and brother Nick, remain in Dunedin overseeing a media empire that has remained remarkably resilient in the face of disruptive trends that have battered its rivals. — NBR